Recall 20V273 affects 3,024 2019 Audi Q3 vehicles for a passenger air bag that will not deploy correctly. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 3,024 2019 Q3 SUVs under recall 20V273 because the passenger air bag is at risk of not deploying properly through the instrument panel tear seam. In a crash, the bag can fail to inflate as designed and small plastic parts can enter the cabin, raising the risk of injury. Audi dealers will inspect and repair the vehicle free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument panel on the 2019 Audi Q3 is built with a hidden tear seam above the passenger side. This seam is a precisely scored line in the panel material designed to split open the instant the passenger airbag fires. The airbag pushes upward, the seam opens along that score, and the bag inflates into the cabin in front of the passenger.
On three specific instrument panels installed in affected Q3s, the score line was not cut correctly during production. A supplier tracking error let parts with a missing or incomplete score reach the assembly line. If the passenger airbag deploys in a crash, the panel cannot open along the intended path. The airbag can be blocked, deflected, or delayed, which reduces the protection it was designed to give the passenger.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is internal to the panel and only matters at the moment of a crash.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Audi Q3 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,024 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Audi Q3 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the passenger air bag will not deploy properly, and small plastic parts from the instrument panel can enter the cabin. Both raise the risk of injury to the front passenger. There is no warning sign before the failure, so schedule the repair soon rather than waiting for symptoms. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Audi Q3 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Audi dealer to schedule the instrument-panel inspection and replacement that fixes the passenger air bag deployment defect.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V273 when you call.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 with questions, and reference Volkswagen recall 70H7 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and limit front-passenger use where practical.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician inspects the instrument panel and replaces it if the tear seam shows the defect that prevents proper passenger air bag deployment. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the affected 2019 Q3 vehicles are still within the warranty period. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for the instrument panel or passenger air bag.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 10, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 10, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 10, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 10, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 10, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V273?
Recall 20V273 covers 3,024 2019 Audi Q3 vehicles with a passenger airbag that can fail to deploy properly through the instrument panel tear seam. In a crash, the airbag can inflate incorrectly and small plastic parts can enter the cabin, increasing injury risk. Audi dealers will inspect and replace the instrument panel if needed, free of charge.
What should I do if my 2019 Audi Q3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q3 is included in recall 20V273. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the instrument panel inspection. Reference recall number 20V273 or Volkswagen's internal number 70H7 when you call. The inspection and any required replacement are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost to the owner. Audi dealers will inspect the instrument panel and replace it if necessary, free of charge, at any franchised Audi dealer regardless of where the vehicle was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk with the 2019 Audi Q3 passenger airbag?
In a crash, the passenger airbag can fail to deploy and inflate correctly through the instrument panel tear seam, and small plastic parts can enter the cabin. Both outcomes increase the risk of injury to a front-seat passenger. The defect is in the airbag deployment path, not in everyday driving behavior.
What if I bought my 2019 Audi Q3 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Audi never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm your specific Q3 is included in recall 20V273, then call a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V273000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-822-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V273 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V273000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →